107 comments:

Is this the same poll that had Romney up with women? (I know it wasn't, but that was a fun poll I wanted to throw out here before Rasmussen gets dismissed as "biased.") The preference cascade has started, my pretties.

Holy cow --- Obama is inserting his own name into the biographies of Presidents on the WH website. Check out Coolidge's bio and you see in the "Did You Know" section info on how Obama is doing things like Coolidge did.

Do you have the stats handy, RC, that show the net job growth versus loss that resulted from Romney's tenure at Bain for all companies they were involved with? I assume so because of your comment above. Would you please share those with us?

I graduated high school on the south side of Chicago and, as such, my graduating class was overwhelmingly black. Years later, as I check on facebook from time to time with the couple hundred or so I'm "friended" with from those days, the posts are sometimes too much to take.

Yesterday, one of them posted a picture of Obama from before his election and one taken recently. He noted the greying hair, the difference in complexion and the sunken eyes. The capper was the final sentence...

"Look at what the American peoples' stupidity has cost this man!"

...followed by a chorus of agreement. I popped in an suggested that they go look at similar comparisons for all presidents since color photos became standard. My work done, I was still a bit shaken by the mobius logic that turned POTUS into a victim.

President Reagan designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday; today the Obama Administration honors this tradition, with the First and Second Families participating in service projects on this day.

In a June 28, 1985 speech Reagan called for a fairer tax code, one where a multi-millionaire did not have a lower tax rate than his secretary. Today, President Obama is calling for the same with the Buffett Rule.

"Did you see that Obama said JP Morgan is one of the best-managed banks there is, Cookie?"

This is simply more evidence, as if any were needed, that Obama, far from being the "communist" or "socialist" or "far leftist" so many simpletons foolishly believe him to be, is the latest White House occupant to serve as loyal vassal and flunky to the financial elites who own and rule this country.

I guess if you define "corporate raider" in such a way as to exclude actions like robbing the 401Ks that had GM preferred stock or corporate bonds to give to the gold plated UAW pensions without asking the UAW to lower their hourly pay by a dime, then no, I guess he hasn't been.

'loyal vassal and flunky to the financial elites who own and rule this country.'

Sounds like Obama too. NYT is owned by a billionaire, like so many other media outlets, not because they make money by themselves, but because they provide the means to do favors for the powerful, who can't outright own these propaganda organ themselves. The billionaires are almost exclusively for Obama. Why is it that people like Buffet shill for him?

This is incredible. And the real campaign against Obama hasn't even started yet.

We are in the poorest economic recovery on record - worse than the great depression. Obama has borrowed a record $5 trillion in less than 4 years in office with nothing to show for it. Unemployment at 8.2% is really much higher - masked only be people who have dropped out of the workforce.

The number of employed is at 2005 levels. The labor force participation rate for whites is down to 64% - the rate in 1980.

These numbers are horrible and unless improved will be the bassis of a lot of future pain for all of us. This is why Obama needs to be pushed out. He is an incompetent president, unwilling to make and changes for the better.

Just compare and contrast europe. In the early 2000s, Germany, which at the time was the sick man of europe instituted all kinds of changes to union and labor laws, a.k.a. Chris Christe/Scott Walker. In contrast Greece, did the opposite, they like Obama made unions stronger and raised taxes and spending.

"The Big Lie that Obama's mega spending of borrowed dollars will save Social Security is hilarious."

What's a Big Lie, and not at all hilarious, is that Social Security is in imminent trouble or that it requires any drastic immediate measures to "save it." That's just what they want us to believe so we'll accept their "fixes," which will allow Wall Street to get their, uh, "mitts" on that money.

"Robert Cook, if Obama's election campaign depends on thirty-year-old hearsay from teenagers about the screw-ups of a teenage boy you're pretty much doomed."

It's not just me that's "doomed," but all of us. No matter whether Obama or Romney wins, we lose. They're both vile.

As Henry Miller said in the first paragraphs of Tropic of Cancer:

"Boris has just given me a summary of his views. He is a weather prophet. The weather will continue bad, he says. There will be more calamities, more death, more despair. Not the slightest indication of a change anywhere...We must get in step, a lockstep, toward the prison of death. There is no escape. The weather will not change."

It's not just me that's "doomed," but all of us. No matter whether Obama or Romney wins, we lose. They're both vile.

As Henry Miller said in the first paragraphs of Tropic of Cancer:

"Boris has just given me a summary of his views. He is a weather prophet. The weather will continue bad, he says. There will be more calamities, more death, more despair. Not the slightest indication of a change anywhere...We must get in step, a lockstep, toward the prison of death. There is no escape. The weather will not change."

5/15/12 12:42 PM

Robert Cook, I couldn't agree with you more. We are screwed. It's strange how most conservatives automatically jump to the conclusion that if one isn't a conservative one supports Obama.

This is simply more evidence, as if any were needed, that Obama, far from being the "communist" or "socialist" or "far leftist" so many simpletons foolishly believe him to be, is the latest White House occupant to serve as loyal vassal and flunky to the financial elites who own and rule this country.

I think that you need to be a bit more careful there. The type of socialism that Obama seems to be the most sympathetic too is the crony capitalism of the German National Socialists and Italian Fascists. There was very much a "one hand washes the other" sort of thing going on back then, as there is now. The biggest companies were expected to support the government, and, in trade, the government helped them. So, for example, for supporting the Fuhrer, the biggest German companies were given access to slave and concentration camp labor, at low or no cost.

While this sort of thing happens on both sides of the political divide, I don't think that we have ever seen it practiced so brazenly as it has over the last couple of years.

I'm curious, Cook - considering, as I do, that a President Nader would face a hostile Congress, exactly what do you think he would do and how? Would you want him to simply issue ukases by Executive Order, as per Obama?

Most conservatives want a return to government as envisioned in the constitution:

* small federal government whose quite limited powers are balanced by the power of the state governments* non activist, non politicized judiciary that does not make laws* a non imperial, limited presidency that requires the approval of congress before waging wars

Such a government would be more trust worthy and much less corrupt. If (big if) the GOP works to make these goals happen, to make our government more constitutional, would dems support it?

"I'm curious, Cook - considering, as I do, that a President Nader would face a hostile Congress, exactly what do you think he would do and how? Would you want him to simply issue ukases by Executive Order, as per Obama?"

There's no chance Ralph Nader or any equally good candidate with a real agenda to serve the people rather than the elites will ever win the Presidency. Our system is plumb broke and t'ain't no fixin' it.

I voted for Ralph Nader as the only palatable alternative to either voting for one of the major party candidates--equally whores to Wall Street before they're even in office--or not voting at all. Not voting is just seen as "apathy;" voting for a third party candidate, however quixotic, records my vote for "none of the above," and for the kind of candidate I can support.

I've come to the conclusion--hardly novel--that voting for "the lesser of two evils" is still voting for evil...and, how do we know which of the evils is really the lesser?

Just like Ankenaten, Obama realized there is only one God but he was ahead of his time and when he was gone what was left of the priesthood came back and everybody returned to the old ways even the king.

Let's see...an economic illiterate whose "stimulus" plan and job-killing health-insurance reform have given us the worst recovery ever and who hasn't delivered a budget that a Democratic Senate will pass, versus a competent adult who seems to be aware of the looming entitlements crisis.

Don't know if it's already been explicitly mentioned, but BHO has a "Did you know?" entry that explicitly mentions himself on every President's biography since Coolidge, except for Ford. I didn't think this administration could get more banana republic, but they always manage to find a new low.

This is simply more evidence, as if any were needed, that Obama, far from being the "communist" or "socialist" or "far leftist" so many simpletons foolishly believe him to be, is the latest White House occupant to serve as loyal vassal and flunky to the financial elites who own and rule this country.

There has never been more than a hair's breath of difference between socialism and crony capitalism. But no matter how many times the left sees socialism in action in the real world, they still cling to the notion that "it's a great idea which hasn't been tried".

"... I voted for Ralph Nader as the only palatable alternative to either voting for one of the major party candidates--equally whores to Wall Street.."

You seem to think that 'Wall Street' is the only corrupting force that is influencing Washington.

AARP pulls a helluva lot more sway in DC than most people imagine. Ditto the trial bar an unions who still punch way above their weight. These are all elites whose influence in policy decisions affects my paycheck.

Today the Obama Administration continues to protect seniors and ensure Social Security will be there for future generations.Part of the reason for Social Security’s popularity and difficulty in enacting much-needed reforms is that so many Americans are under the misconception that they have “earned” their benefits by paying FICA taxes. Obama’s contribution to Social Security has been a “payroll tax holiday” that severs the link between the payroll tax and Social Security benefits. Ironically enough while Obama and many other progressives have fought against means-testing entitlement programs, this gimmick that Obama pushed for may be what helps pave the way.

"... . Ironically enough while Obama and many other progressives have fought against means-testing entitlement programs, this gimmick thatObamapushed for may be what helps pave the way..."

Well since the Democrats have touted SS as a retirement plan, even they don't have the balls to say, well its not really one anymore and we have to means test it to save it. So if you saved for retirement, thanks for your contributions. If you didn't save, well Uncle Sugar is here for you.

There's no chance Ralph Nader or any equally good candidate with a real agenda to serve the people rather than the elites will ever win the Presidency. Our system is plumb broke and t'ain't no fixin' it.

Nader?

SERIOUSLY?

Criticized outsourcing of jobs while investing, heavily, in companies that do so.

Criticizes GE --- but his non-profit owned stock in them as well.

Treats his employees like sweat shop serfs for him.

He busted an attempt to unionize one of his magazines. When paperwork was filed, the filer was fired the next day.

He feels public interest groups shouldn't be held to legal work requirements.

He forces college students to pay him money via his college PIRG groups. If a school has one, ALL students, even non-members, has money taken as part of their fees and the process to get it back is not easy.

He's one of the few candidates who refuses to release ANY income information to the public.

His nonprofits routinely run significant profits that they invest in the stock market.

Speaking of Ralph Nader. What ever happened to that Corvair salvage yard that was in Middleton where the bypass is now?

Wow! Someone else rememebers that place. It's been there since the late 60's I think. Back then Fish Lumber out the road a ways was thriving, J.J. Fitzpatrick Lumber had become too urban plus all that westside Madison space had been built out.

"I didn't think this administration could get more banana republic, but they always manage to find a new low."

Thank you for nailing that. Besides being simply embarrassing, you're right that it's brought us one uncomfortable step closer to banana republichood. We should start a portrait printing business - it's de rigeur in a banana republic to have a portrait of the president (for life) in every business and office, and practically every room. Can that day be far off? He's already requiring insurance companies to obsequiously praise him for his beneficence. (I've seen that banana republic stuff up close and firsthand. How have we reached this point?)

One area Romney needs to be cautious on is foreign policy and getting so close to the old Bush Administration neocons and John McCain that he is perceived as war-thirsty. The nation is sick of the squandering of wealth, weary of a decade of war. With another decade coming of weekly death and wounding reports on US troops and the hospitals and Dover mortuary kept busy.

The mood has shifted. We have a public that no longer feels we "owe it to" the "Noble Freedom-Lovers" of all the nations on John McCain and the Neocons "Dream wishlist of new wars of adventure and nation-building".1. Iran2. Burma3. Yemen4. The Congo5. Saving Mexico6. US troops to Georgia and S Ossetia.7. Somalia8. Syria9. Lebanon10. Our neocon's idea that we must act in other global brushfires. We evidently also need to send troops to find General Kony, help the Noble Sudanese...Haiti..things are bad in Liberia again.

Plus another 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan, teaching our killers to love us, and our Special Friend Israel.And gutting our defense spending to deter our main strategic rival, China....to spend instead on roads to make Taliban and Shiite militia travel easier.

Even the enlisted troops share this sentiment. Polls taken show them narrowly preferring Obama over Romney. Mainly on the idea that Obama wants to not have another decade of not just loosing men, but burning out the men and equipment on endless deployments.

We have no "moral duty" to liberate the "Noble Freedom Lovers" and give them Karzais and Islamists and Iranian allies as their new leaders.We have no "moral obligation" to our Special Friend Israel to salute and say yessir when they want a new war fought they wish to avoid the blood and treasure cost of themselves when they can make us serve their goals instead.

I support Romney. But he has to be careful of the people around him and coming off as war-thirsty and eager to buy any weapons system McCain, the Beltway Bandits want.

Burnham, although the English russophile intelligentsia would repudiate him, is really voicing their secret wish: the wish to destroy the old, equalitarian version of Socialism and usher in a hierarchical society where the intellectual can at last get his hands on the whip.